Share
In France, 40,000 people die prematurely every year from heart attacks or cardio-respiratory arrest, 30% of victims are professionally active. Samsic has undertaken to support GHW (Global Heart Watch), an association, founded in 2013 by Gilbert and Tina Blaise, to prevent sudden death. GHW is supported in its work by Professor Xavier Jouven, cardiologist and director of the Sudden Death Expertise Center (CEMS) and the Inserm Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Sudden Death Unit. We met Gilbert Blaise, GHW President, at the first GHW information centre launch.
Why did you create GHW?
We created GHW after Pierre Blaise, our 31-year-old son, died on 24 June 2012 of a heart attack just several hundred metres from the finishing line of a 10km charity run for the Abbé Pierre Foundation.
We were horrified to discover that more than 40,000 people die from sudden death every year. At the time, the survival rate of 3% was very low due to the lack of intervention by cardiac massage and/or heart defibrillation and, consequently, the need to raise awareness of life-saving actions and call the government to action.
What are GHW's main areas of action?
GHW works to prevent sudden death by organising events to raise awareness of life-saving skills within companies, and at train stations, public places, schools and events. GHW also funds scientific research and lobbies the government.
In six years, we have raised awareness among 71,000 people, donated €401,500 to Inserm and participated in two draft laws.
Today is the inauguration of the first GHW information centre. Can you tell us what the centre is for exactly?
The launch of the Pierre Blaise GHW Centre - La Main sur le Cœur (Hand on heart) is the pinnacle of our accomplishments: the Centre's purpose is to serve as a concrete pillar of innovation where GHW actions and projects will be developed. This very first centre is a place where people affected by sudden death will be able to meet GHW teams and attend thematic events: meetings and discussions between partners, patrons, medical staff, local councillors and company managers, etc.
How do you concretely interact with businesses to increase knowledge of first aid procedures?
The government aims to train 80% of French citizens in life-saving skills.
The decree n° 2018-1186 of 18 December 2018 provides that Establishments Receiving the Public (ERP) must be equipped with external automated defibrillators (AEDs) as from 1 January 2020, depending on their category.
A total of 7 out of 10 heart attacks happen in front of a witness but only one third of French people know how rescue a heart-attack victim. In total, 10% of employees are trained as OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) first aiders.
We organize conferences in companies and in public places to raise cardiac massage awareness and show people how to use a defibrillator. OHS first aiders often take part in these events; this develops team spirit and is in line with Corporate Social Responsibility.
